Part I: June is National Homeownership Month. (That's how they write it – all one word.) It was founded by the federal government and is led by the Department of Housing and Urban Development. The purpose is to raise awareness of the benefits of owning a home and to help Americans achieve this goal.
The Ridge communities are known for their number and variety of architecturally and historically significant homes. The Ridge Historic District, a national designation, is one of the largest urban historic districts in the country. Locally, architecture led to establishing the Longwood Drive Historic District and the Walter Burley Griffin Place Historic District. The neighborhood always had the best in buildings – even the train stations were designated the Beverly/Morgan Park Railroad Station Historic District.
Harry Hale (H. H.) Waterman (1869 – 1948) was a prolific architect on the Ridge. At least 35 local houses, churches and other buildings are credited to him. He and Frank Lloyd Wright were friends; in fact, the two of them would often put on boxing gloves and spar. But unlike his friend Wright, Waterman did not concentrate on just one style of architecture. He worked in many historical styles to build homes for his wealthy clients. In Morgan Park, he was affectionately known as the "Village Architect."
One of the most charming houses he designed was for himself and his first wife, Ida. This is the Harry Hale Waterman House at 10838 S. Longwood Drive, often referred to as the "Honeymoon Cottage." The house was built in 1893. Ida and H.H. were married in 1891, and they had one daughter, Waterman's only child, Louise. Ida died in 1896 at the age of 24. Waterman sold the cottage at that time.
The Waterman House is currently up for sale. Here are interesting pictures and documents for the house, starting with the historic to the present. The wonderful den in the house is shown in the last pictures.